An Interview with Scottish Cult Hero Jesse Rae

June 22, 2015

3 minute read

Not many people can boast as exciting a story as legendary funk artist, video pioneer turned political candidate, Jesse Rae. Renowned for his highland battle dress and a string of hits in the 80s, we caught up with the ‘godfather of Scots-Funk’ after the 2015 UK general election.

TS. “Disgusted with the political system” is a sentiment echoed by many Scots, especially in the wake of the Independence referendum. How far are we, as Scots, finally growing a pair of balls and eschewing the “black hole” of Westminster?

TS.The idea of a politician using practical knowledge to help anyone apart from himself or herself is pretty novel. We really like the idea of using music and radio to help local communities. How would it work exactly?

TS. Not much is made about your time working in the stock exchange. How did that come about? It seems the polar opposite of being a funk musician.

JR. Hunt Taylor was a cotton trader on the floor o’ New York Stock Exchange. A talented man, both as a trader and as a musician. He needed my help tae put a band thegither. I needed work that paid a lot. Tae finance my music videos. That’s NYC for ye ….live the dream.